A one-stop shop of mental health resources for journalists

Credit: Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

When journalists are having a rough time, it can be hard to look for support - so we did the digging for you.

Here is a bunch of resources: places you can find financial support if your mental health is affecting your work. Organisations which provide training, advice, coaching and consultation. Guides to help you cover the subject. Or simply communities that you can tap into so you do not feel alone.

This is not a complete list and we welcome any other resources you know of. Let us know and we will add them in.

Financial support

Committee to Protect Journalists - The Gene Roberts Fund for Emergency Assistance: a wide range of short-term support in the event of an emergency related to journalistic work • email to apply, global

Journalists' Charity - financial assistance and First Job Fund: circumstances-based support for journalists in the later and early stages of their career • online application, UK only

NUJ: NUJ extra - flexible, short-term financial support due to unforeseen circumstances • membership required, online application, UK and Ireland

Reporters Without Borders - financial assistance: Emergency funds for journalists under threat for their safety • email to apply, global

The Rory Peck Trust - Therapy Fund: covers the cost of professional psychological support for freelance journalists • online application, global, response time 1-3 weeks

Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism - security grant: up to $8,000 available for "unanticipated and time urgent" safety risks to women and non-binary activists • email or online application, quick decision process, global

International Women's Media Foundation - Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund: currently fundraising to support this programme and not accepting applications

Guides and resources

Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma: a treasure trove of resources, that can be filtered by topic, content type and language.

Headlines Network: a range of newsroom guides, including hybrid work, dealing with burnout, covering traumatic stories, mitigating vicarious trauma, managing our own mental health and supporting our colleagues

Reuters: mental health and resilience resource

The Self-Investigation: mental health resources, available in English and Spanish

The Rory Peck Trust: video resources from past events on mental health and wellbeing

IJNet: mental health reporting tips and toolkit

Management

The TUC: mental health in the workplace workbook

Trauma

Pickup communications: an FAQ on how the media should engage with victims and survivors

Trauma reporting: Trauma Reporting Toolkit

UNESCO (by Jo Healey): Safety of journalists covering trauma and distress 'Do no harm' [2022]

Suicide

Suicide Reporting Toolkit: the RSR (responsible suicide reporting) model and self-care tips when covering this difficult subject

Samaritans: media guidelines for reporting on suicide

Well-being and resilience

Frontline defenders: well-being and stress management

NHS: guides, tools and activities to improve your mental health

Language

Mind: media guidelines for covering mental health, focusing on language choices and avoiding reinforcing stigmas

Communities and events

The Self-Investigation: Mental Health in Journalism Summit, free and online, 8 - 10 October 2024

Safely Held Spaces: free online peer support groups for people experiencing extreme mental and emotional distress

Journalists Covering Trauma: Facebook group for journalists, NB: private and off-the-record discussions

NUJ: union-based events and contacts (requires membership)

Newsbreak: website for journalists to share experiences and Let's Talk service

Training and courses

Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma: Dart fellowships and various training resources

Safely Held Spaces: trauma-informed newsroom training

Pickup Communications: trauma-informed journalism training

International Women's Media Foundation: trauma resources and webinar on the mental toll on journalists of colour

Poynter: online journalism and trauma course

Trauma reporting: trauma reporting and compassionate language workshops

The Self-Investigation: training, coaching, safe spaces and consultancy for media organisations

Headlines Network: mental health training, to be updated

Head Set Immersive: VR training for hostile environments and high-stakes situations

Jodie Jackson: Master your media, master your mind course for improving media diet

Therapists and coaches

James Scurry: accredited psychotherapist with a specialism in trauma and a background in news production

Olivia James: qualified coach and therapist, specialising in performance anxiety, imposter syndrome and PTSD

Zuzanna Ziomecka: certified coach with a specialism in burnout, mindfulness and leadership, and a background in daily news

Dr Charlotte Armitage: qualified psychotherapist and psychologist, specialising in media exposure and TV production

Content and self-help

Headlines Network: Behind the Headlines podcast

Verywell Mind: An editorial website focusing on mental health, therapy, self-help and relationships

IJNet: Mental health and journalism podcast series (30 July to 23 October 2020)

Mind: YouTube channel publishing interviews and explainers about mental health subjects

The Mental Illness Happy Hour with Paul Gilmore: weekly conversations about mental illness, trauma, addiction and negative thinking

The Anxiety Coaches Podcast with Gina Ryan: expert advice for dealing with stress, anxiety and PTSD

Lo-fi playlist: music to relax to

International Women's Media Foundation: Yoga for self-care

Tools, apps and games

The Rory Peck Trust - Risk & Safety Helpdesk: one-to-one expert online consultation to prepare freelance journalists for story assignments

Headspace: paid-for meditation app

The Mindfulness app: free app for reducing stress, exercising meditation and improving sleep

CALM: free online tool for practising deep breathing

GRIS: A simple video game available on PC and modern home consoles, based on mental health concepts.

Books

Hannah Storm: Mental Health and Wellbeing for Journalists

Chris Lindsay & Leona O'Neill: Breaking: Trauma in the Newsroom

Maja Šimunjak: Managing Emotions in Journalism: A Guide to Enhancing Resilience

Anthony Feinstein: Moral Courage: 19 Profiles of Investigative Journalists

Tamara Cherry: The Trauma Beat: A Case for Re-Thinking The Business of Bad News

Valérie Bélair-Gagnon, Avery E. Holton, Mark Deuze and Claudia Mellado: Happiness in Journalism

Jo Healey: Trauma Reporting: A Journalist's Guide to Covering Sensitive Stories

Trine Syvertsen: Digital Detox: The Politics of Disconnecting

Jodie Jackson: You Are What You Read: Why changing your media diet can change the world

Karen Yin: The Conscious Style Guide: A Flexible Approach to Language That Includes, Respects, and Empowers

Key dates

Time To Talk Day: 1 February

Stress Awareness Month: April

World Suicide Prevention Day: 10 September

World Mental Health Day: 10 October

More here

Helplines (UK)

Mind: Advisors available 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays

Samaritans: 24 hour support

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